Cardboard

The song "Cardboard" (originally "Cardboard Box") was the first song written by the band Siphon. It was written in January of 1994.

Background
"Cardboard Box" was the first Siphon song. It was originally written and recorded into a boom box in the bedroom of Chris Elmore. It was immortalized in a "music video" which launched the band Siphon. Jeff Lucas and Matt Wittlief wrote the music and the lyrics were pieced together from poems by Andy Cook and Chris Elmore. Siphon played the song throughout its entire existence with little change other than modifications to tempo. The song features a slow intro with single note picking and moves to a fast punk/grunge motif with a simple structure and chord progressions based more on sequence than harmonization. In live performances, the band would often try to play it as fast as they possibly could play it.

Lyrics
Hear a song, hear them sing

It's real greasy, you're so sloppy

In a cardboard box at the Modock Zoo

I'm an animal, what are you?

Give me air so I can see

Give me sight so I can breathe

Let me in I want to roam

Set me free and I'll stay home

What am I doing, what can I feel?

Please let me out this can't be real

Who are we, why are we here?

Live your life the end is near

What will happen when it's time?

I don't care, is that a crime?